State officials have announced the appointment of Arkansas’ first Broadband Manager
Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston announced that Nathan Smith, Ph.D., has been chosen to serve as the state’s first Broadband Manager. As Broadband Manager, Smith is charged with delivering high-speed broadband Internet access to Arkansas communities with 500 residents or more by 2022.
In May, Hutchinson announced the Arkansas State Broadband Plan, which is aimed at overcoming regional Internet inequalities between urban and rural areas.
“Access to high-speed broadband in our rural communities is critical to the long-term success of our state’s economy, and it will improve the quality of life for our citizens,” Hutchinson said. “Earlier this year, I asked Dr. Smith to lead the development of a broadband plan for Arkansas that would achieve that goal within the next four years. Dr. Smith’s leadership in that effort, as well his knowledge and experience, make him the perfect fit to be the state’s first Broadband Manager.”
Currently, Smith is the Department of Commerce Research Director. He will be assuming his new role on Wednesday, July 24. Smith will serve in both capacities at his existing salary.
As research director, Smith provides expertise in tax policy, workforce development and more.
He previously served the economic policy director for the Arkansas Development Finance Authority and ran education finance projects for the World Bank. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from George Mason University and a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard.
“In the course of helping develop the Arkansas State Broadband Plan, I enjoyed getting to know the issues and the players in the broadband space,” Smith said. “I’ve gained an appreciation of its intricacy and importance. I look forward to working with colleagues in the executive branch and the private sector to pool expertise. The State Broadband Office will maintain objectivity and a commitment to the public interest as we face the decisions ahead.”
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